You don't say how wide the cracks are between stones, but, here in the U.S. on a paver block deck we don't use the sand/cement mixture, but rather fine, sharp sand only. It (the sand) should be somewhat damp when spread on the patio and then swept with a broom to fill the cracks. A gentle sprinkling with a fine mist garden hose (sorry, hose-pipe) to clean the remaining sand off the pavers...
It will need reapplying sometime in the future, but it's cheap and easy to do...